Ventilating mechanism



May 20, 1924. 7 1,494,682

J. F'. GIBBS I VENTILA'IING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 20 1920 Patented May 20, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1 James F. GIBBS, or was]: LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

VENTILATING, MECHANISM.

Application filed December 20, 1920. Serial No. 431,832.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I JAMEs F. GIBBS a citizen of the United States, residing at West Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certa n new and useful Improvements in Vent1lat1ng Mechanisms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to ventilator mechanisms and more particularly to mechanisms of this character employed for actu ating ventilating sectionsof greenhouses.

The object of the present invention is to provide a ventilator mechanism for greenhouses and similar buildings which is efficient in its operation and does not require space for its installation which might be used for other purposes.

With this object in view one feature of the invention contemplates the provision of a hydraulic ram supported upon the roof of a greenhouse and connected by a suitable system of linkage with the sections of the greenhouse to be opened for ventilating purposes. A further feature of the invention contemplates the provision of a series of hydraulic rams with operating connections between the rams and the several ventilating sections of the greenhouse and a single remote control for causing the actuation of all of the sections simultaneously.

Still further features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction,

combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the ad vantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the accon'ipanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention Fig.-

the inclined glass roof sections 11. Incorporated in the roof may be one or more hinged ventilating sections 18 which are preferably hingedalong their upper edge at 14 to the ridgepole 15 of the structure. The lifting rams for operating the hinged ventilating sections are supported by the'longitudinal supports 10 as indicated in Fig. 1. This supporting mechanism comprises two parallel bars 16 and 17 connected at opposite ends to the supports 10 and having a cylinder 18 connected thereto bybrackets 19 and 20. Connected with the cylinder is a frame 22 having parallel guide-ways 28 which sup F port a sliding crosshead 24: connected with the operating piston '25 bya piston rod 26. The crosshead 24is connected to an operating arm 28 through alink29, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arm 28'serves to rock the longitudinal shaft 30 which is journaled in a series of supporting brackets 32 secured at intervals to the roof. The rock shaft 30 is connected at intervals with the various ventilating sections through rocker arms 34 and rods 35 connecting the outer ends of the arms with the free ends of the sections 13, I i

one arm and a corresponding connecting rod being provided for each of the ventilating sections. It will be observed that with this construction a powerful leverage is exerted for elevating the roof sections into an open position.

Inasmuch asbuildings of this sort are largely formed of glass, it is exceedingly important that the building frame be relieved of the strains incident to lifting the various ventilating sections. In order to minimize this strain upon the frame of the building, the present construction has incorporated 95 therein a tie-rod 4'0 engaging at opposite ends with the rock shaft 30 and with a longitudinal support 10, these tie-rods being disposed at intervals throughout the length of the greenhouse as desired. Each of the tiev 1 rods may be made in two parts indicated at 4:1 and 42 which are held together by a threaded coupling sleeve 43. With this (ion struction it will be obvious that the support ing brackets 32 for the rock shaft are supported and restrained against twisting or bending movements during the operation of the ventilating mechanism by the tie-rods which firmly hold the rock shaft and brackets in 'a predetermined relation to the longi- 1m tudinal supporting members 10.

The leverage secured by the actuating v 54. The supply pipe 52 is also connected With a discharge pipe 55 through a second valve 56. Upon opening the valve 5% with the valve 56 closed all of the ventilating sections are simultaneously raised to the full extent of opening and retained in this position indefinitely, the pressure of water he hind the pistons 24 serving to accomplish the necessary lifting of the section. If'it is desired to drop the: sections slowly, this may be accomplished by opening the valve 56 Without closing the valve :54: ,to allow both I the entrance and exit of water from the system. If it is desired to suddenly drop the sections, .on theother hand, the valve 56 is opened and the valve .5 Wholly or partially closed. It will further be observed that by proper manipulation of one or both of the claim, and may he changed or modified Without departing from the broader features of the invention.

The invention having been described, What is claimed is: s

v A ventilating mechanism for greenhouses and the like comprising a hinged ventilating section, parallel roof supports extending lengthwise .of the greenhouse, a hydraulic ra n secured to the-supports and depending therefrom, a rock shaft having a plurality of operating arms projecting therefrom, means for respectively connecting the arms with i the ventilating section and the hydraulic rarn,.;and an adjustable tie rod rigidly connecting the rock shaft with one of the roof supports to cause the stress upon the rock shaft due to the lifting of the ventilating section to vhe communicated to the sup port,

JAMES GIB 

